Ovarian cancer is now confirmed as the deadliest women’s cancer, with the latest statistics revealing a five-year survival rate of just 49%. Tragically, two-thirds (67%) of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, where survival drops to just 29%.
Despite significant advancements in cancer treatment, progress in ovarian cancer survival has significantly stalled. While the overall five-year survival rate across all types of cancer has climbed to 72.7%, ovarian cancer survival remains as dire as it was in 1975. This means women diagnosed today face a similar devastating prognosis as those nearly 50 years ago.
This February, during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) is calling for urgent action to improve outcomes for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
In 2025, more than 1,800 Australian women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and nearly 1,100 will lose their lives to the disease..
“The statistics are stark. Ovarian cancer is a group of complex and rare cancers that are often diagnosed too late, when treatment options are limited, and survival rates are devastatingly low.” said ANZGOG Chair, Professor Clare Scott AM.
“For too long, women’s symptoms have been dismissed or misdiagnosed. Gender bias in healthcare means many women don’t receive a diagnosis until their cancer is advanced. These are our mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, and friends... we must do better.” she added.
“Underinvestment in women generally and in gynaecological cancer research specifically, has left critical gaps in understanding the molecular make-up of rare and less common gynaecological cancers, including ovarian cancer. This can limit treatment options with only a limited range of treatments for known genomic variants being funded for ovarian cancer, despite such treatments being funded by the PBS for other cancer types, causing premature death.” Professor Scott said.
ANZGOG leads clinical trials that deliver cutting-edge therapies to women with ovarian cancer and other gynaecological cancers. “Research-driven advancements in molecular profiling and precision medicine offer new hope, yet more than 90% of women diagnosed today do not have access to these life-saving innovations.” she added.
Professor Scott highlighted the critical role of research in transforming outcomes: “We know that molecular profiling, precision medicine and expanded access to clinical trials can significantly extend and improve lives. ANZGOG’s research is already changing the way we diagnose and treat ovarian cancer, but we must accelerate progress to ensure no woman is left behind.”
“We have seen great advances in survival rates for women with cervical cancer thanks to medical research, we must ensure advances are realised for all gynaecological cancers, including ovarian cancer” she added.
ANZGOG urges the Australian Government, the medical community, and the public to prioritise investment in ovarian cancer.
“Women cannot wait. With more than 28,500 women projected to lose their life from a gynaecological cancer over the next decade, we need action now. Research is the key to better survival rates.” said Professor Scott.
During Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, ANZGOG encourages Australians to get involved by learning more, supporting research, and advocating for equitable access to the latest advancements in gynaecological cancer care.
If you are affected by ovarian cancer and would like to know more, please visit anzgog.org.au or to support or make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please visit WomenCan.org.au.
If you would like to hear to more information about ovarian cancer, listen to ‘On The Down Low’ Podcast: anzgog.org.au/on-the-down-low/
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About ANZGOG: The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) is the peak national gynaecological cancer research organisation in Australia and New Zealand. Our vision is: Advancing research, Saving Lives. The group has more than 1500 members representing clinical, allied health and pure research specialties, and includes community. ANZGOG clinical trials are conducted at over 80 hospital sites and include both local and global collaborations to ensure the best research is available to improve life for women with a gynaecological cancer.
About Professor Clare Scott AM, Chair ANZGOG: Clare Scott AM is a Medical Oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospitals and is Joint Head, Clinical Discovery and Translation and Laboratory Head at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Professor of Gynaecological Cancer at University of Melbourne. She has over 20 years’ experience in treating breast and ovarian cancer and in clinical cancer genetics in Familial Cancer Clinics. Clare has been Principal Investigator for more than ten ovarian cancer clinical trials of targeted therapy leading to high impact publications and is immediate past Chair of the ANZGOG OASIS Initiative Steering Committee. In the lab, Clare has developed new ovarian cancer pre-clinical models and is using genomics to study targeted drug combinations to combat drug resistance. Clare has established a rare cancer research program to improve access to targeted treatments for patients diagnosed with a rare cancer. Clare was awarded the Sir Edward Dunlop Cancer Research Fellowship from Cancer Council Victoria (2012) and a Clinical Research Fellowship from the Victorian Cancer Agency (2018).
Contact details:
Media inquiries or to interview Professor Clare Scott AM: Monique Cerreto: T: 0416 282 464, E: Monique.cerreto@anzgog.org.au
